Mergeable nervous systems

Robots facilitate our work in many areas. They help to solve logistical challenges, dominate entire branches of industrial production and even vacuum our apartments. And soon they could be our independent drivers and surgeons. To realise this, it seems like a whole army of robots will be needed, but what if a single, shape-shifting unit could perform all of these tasks? Well, a combined research group from Belgium, Portugal and Switzerland has now come a step closer to achieving this goal. With the help of a mergeable nervous system, the team has succeeded in developing units that work independently, but can also connect to a single, powerful robot. The necessary exchange between the machines takes place via wi-fi and all data is transmitted to a chief unit.